Buy your $10 lifetime National Park Senior Pass before it's too late

[ehrnst]

Last edited Fri Apr 14, 2017, 01:47 PM - Edit history (1)

It was the best $10 we ever spent! I’m talking about our lifetime National Park Senior Pass, available the US citizens or permanent residents the day they hit their 62nd birthday. You know that old adage about all good things coming to an end? The writing is on the wall for the $10 National Park Senior Pass. It’s not going away; it’s just getting a lot more expensive. The fee for the lifetime National Park Senior Pass will be going up to $80. If you want to take advantage of the $10 rate, buy your lifetime National Park Senior Pass now. When is the price going up? According to the National Park Service no date has yet been set, but it will be sometime after October. Don’t say we didn’t give you a lot of warning.

Once the rate goes up there will be two options to buy your National Park Senior Pass: pay $80 for a lifetime pass or buy an annual Senior Passes for $20. After you buy four passes the fifth one will be free and forever. They’re currently trying to work out the logistics on this. It’s the government so it’s not simple. Of course, with the current anti-public lands atmosphere in Washington, things could change on a dime.
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You can buy passes at any National Park office, National Park, National Monument, National Historic Park, online or by mail. Both the Internet and mail-in options have an additional $10 fee, but if you’re not near a National Parks office or site, it’s worth it. Here’s a list of places, state by state, where you can purchase your National Park Senior Pass. (Check with the place before going as the list says it’s subject to change.)

http://santafetravelers.com/our-travels/lifetime-national-park-senior-pass-late/

[MuseRider]

1. Did that yesterday!

Gonna be quite a bargain after the new fees kick in.

[LOL Lib]

2. Get your park pass before dictator Donnie

Drops bombs on all the parks.

[LakeArenal]

15. Introducing the Grand Canyon Toxic Waste Disposal Unit.

[LOL Lib]

44. Right? "It's going to be MASSIVE and YUUUGEE!"

"Believe me folks! You're going to love the toxic park system!"

[ginnyinWI]

3. we got ours.

We paid the internet fee to get them now, because we don't live close to a national park. So that was $40 for two.

[WePurrsevere]

4. Thanks for the heads up. My DH turns 62 in July, now I know one thing to get him. nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. I happened to visit a National Park shortly after I turned 62,

and promptly bought the pass. Best $10 I've ever spent.

A couple of years ago I was visiting Montezuma's Castle, a National Park in Arizona. At the entrance where people would be paying, the Rangers were carefully questioning visitors to guide them to the most cost-efficient payment, asking things like would they be going to another National Park within a few days, since apparently there was some sort of three or five day pass. I'd actually forgotten I had the senior pass until the nice ranger, taking note of my gray hair, asked me if I had one. I was very impressed. They were being very sensitive to the fact that most people are on a budget.

Also, unless they decide to change the rules, each Senior Pass allows up to three other visitors travelling with the pass holder in for free. (Once a ranger let my mom and her four adult children into a site with no charge, so they can be flexible about the number of additional visitors.) I'd forgotten about that little perk until I was going to a park with my son, and he got in free with me. I believe different parks may have different rules about this benefit.

So if you are within reasonable driving distance of a park, go. If not, the extra fee is still worthwhile.

[Tess49]

6. Thanks for this information. I discovered A BLM office within a couple of miles

of my house. Called and got their hours etc. I will go get a pass. Lady I spoke with said they aren't sure when the price will go up.

[taught_me_patience]

7. Why should seniors have a lifetime $10 unlimited pass

while the rest of us have to pay $20 everytime we want to go to a park? Seems pretty unfair to me.

[Shrike47]

10. We stay on the trails and don't try to carry home the rocks.

[mtngirl47]

20. And we don't carve our name on every surface we see!

[2naSalit]

11. $20? Where's that?

The three up here in my neck o' the Rockies it's $30 and $50... $80 for the all parks annual pass. When I was a park ranger, I sold tons of those things, it was the most enjoyable part of my fee collection duties, to explain the benefits of this wonderful $10 treasure to seniors who didn't know about it. It always made their whole trip so much more enjoyable, especially when the family brought them and they were feeling like a hindrance and suddenly they are the hit of the trip because now the whole family could get a lot of mileage out of the senior pass by having that senior along with them. It costs a lot to haul a family to these parks so I was glad that I could brighten their day with that.

[Nevernose]

13. Did you just tell the old people to get off your lawn?

[LakeArenal]

51. He did indeed tell old people to get off his lawn and since has doubled down!!

[LakeArenal]

16. Are you really serious?

[taught_me_patience]

24. Dead serious

Why should seniors get something that is essentially free while the rest of us either pay $20 each time or $80 annually? They use the same stuff we do, drive on the same roads, and camp in the same areas, but they use it for nearly free. I believe some discounting is ok, but this is completely insane. I think most seniors, if they actually reflected on this for a second, would probably agree.

[llmart]

31. Wow! How caring and empathetic you are...

Some of us seniors live on fixed incomes (very fixed). My Social Security is $950 per month. I have two small pensions. You try living on that. Most seniors have more doctor bills and prescriptions than younger people too.

Someday you too are going to be older and you are in for a rather big shock. Having empathy means you have the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and realize what they may be feeling.

[Cattledog]

36. Exactly, seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups.

It's been shown that conservatives usually lack the ability to empathize until it hits them. And it will because we
all get old.

[Coventina]

37. Wow. So, the fact that they've been paying their taxes for decades, and most are living on a fixed

income, with very little to spare, and want to take an opportunity to see some of the beauties of their land while they still can....
That just inspires jealousy in you?

It must suck to live inside your head.

[Buns_of_Fire]

40. I admit, I once felt the same as you.

That was 40-some-odd years ago.

It's amazing how, as you ripen (rapidly heading towards overripe, in my case), these little perks tend to be really appreciated. Most of us aren't really living high on the hog out here.

So I look upon it now as sort of a prize just for having made it this far. And there are many who want to keep it that way for future generations, when they become eligible for the prize, too. Believe it or not.

Besides, it's not as if I'm putting any undue stress on the hiking trails with my blistering pace anymore.

[IronLionZion]

22. ROFL!

This post made my day!

[LisaM]

33. I don't think it's unfair to give a discount to people on a fixed income

and who leave a really limited footprint. I don't, however, think $80 for a lifetime pass is overpriced. $10 seems almost underpriced.

[csziggy]

38. Because seniors have paid taxes for decades

And as others have said, their income is often greatly reduced.

The following passes are available:

Annual Pass - Cost: $80 annual pass
Free Annual Pass for U.S. Military - Available for: Current U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as well as Reserve and National Guard members.
Annual 4th Grade Pass - Cost: Free (valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September-August); Available for: U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid in a Park paper pass
Senior Pass - Cost: $10 lifetime pass
Access Pass - Cost: Free; Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentaiton of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
Volunteer Pass - Cost: Free; Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

So there are a number of options to get free or reduced price passes. My husband bought an annual pass last year - I guess he didn't realize he was eligible for a $10 lifetime pass! We'll have to drive to the closest location to buy lifetime passes for us both.

[ehrnst]

43. The $20 is for an annual pass, not per visit. Everyone in your car gets in with a pass. (nt)

Not every vi

[taught_me_patience]

45. Yosemite is $30 every visit

Entrance Fees
Seven-day pass if entering via...
Non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats
$30 per vehicle (no per-person fee)

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm

It's probably so expensive to make up for the revenue of seniors visiting for free.

[ehrnst]

47. Ah - Shenandoah is a yearly pass. (nt)

[LakeArenal]

50. OMG You ARE serious...

Those entitled seniors.. Are you Paul Ryan? Man o man.. Yea... all those years those seniors waited. They never visited a park until they could get that deal. They never took their families there and paid full price with families. They just sat and waited 'til they could grab that good deal.. Let's also do away with senior discounts.. Pay full price for that cup of coffee m++**F++*ers.

[nini]

54. $60 for an annual pass

Is that too much for you?

[csziggy]

60. From your link, you can pay $60 a year for a Yosemite pass

And there are other passes available:

Other Passes

These passes admit the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private car.

Yosemite Pass: $60
Annual pass providing free entrance to Yosemite for 12 months from the date of purchase
America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass: $80
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas. This replaces the National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass.

Annual 4th Grade Pass: Free
Annual pass covering entrance fees for 4th grade students for 2016-2017 school year.

Annual Pass for US Military: Free
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active military personnel and their dependents. (For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173).)
Access Pass: Free
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. (You can also get this pass by mail for $10.)
Senior Pass: $10
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older.(You can also get this pass by mail for an additional $10.)

I suspect Yosemite is so expensive because it tends to be overcrowded during the summer season and that is a way to cut down on the numbers.

[nini]

53. I have a free lifetime pass because I'm disabled

you can have one too..just break both your legs in a car accident and be in pain every day fro 30+ years and you too can get that freebie perk!

[2naSalit]

8. I'm not old enough yet!

[The Blue Flower]

9. Done--thank you!

Really appreciate the heads up.

[Cryptoad]

12. Is the pass good at any National Park?

[lilymidnite]

17. Yes, plus other benefits

Yes, plus other benefits.

1/2 price BLM or National Park Service campgrounds. Forest Service fee areas are free. It's a great deal. With Yellowstone entry now upwards of $50, you more than make up for the cost in the first use.

[lilymidnite]

14. September

Husbeast got his pass in January. What a deal! So far, free entry to Death Valley, plus 1/2 price campground (though the camping in Death Valley is awful).

I'm counting the days until my birthday in September. Haven't been this excited to get older since I was 15.

[NBachers]

19. I had a wonderful ranger tell me about it on the way into Yosemite- bought one on the spot!

I love my National Parks Senior Pass, and I've used it over and over. We live not far from Muir Woods, so I've got myself and my carload in for free many times.

I've also gone to State Parks, and asked on the way in if my National Parks Senior Pass would be valid there. In Lake Tahoe, we got into a park for 1/3rd of the regular admission.

And remember- your whole carload gets in free, too!

[jeffreyi]

21. I bought mine

At my local Forest Service District office. What a deal.

[Staph]

25. I bought mine last week

at a nearby Corps of Engineers dam site.

[dhill926]

23. many thanks for this...

they were out when we visited Joshua Tree in March. Will do online....didn't know price was going up.

[DinahMoeHum]

26. Fuck, I just miss the cut. . .

. . .I turn 62 next year. G*d willing.

[mrmpa]

28. I'm with you, 1956 was a very good year..em

[ThoughtCriminal]

27. 58 - So I can't take advantage of it.

But $80 is still a bargain.

[mrmpa]

29. just told my 66 soon to be 67 year old significant other..........

that we're taking a one hour drive to get him this. Thank you.

[marlakay]

59. Think you can get at any forestry office

And maybe online?

[Tracer]

30. Thank you for the information!

I had no idea about the $10 passes.

It will be a snap for me to get mine, because there is the Assabet River National Wildlife Preserve not a mile and a half up the road from me!

[Crash2Parties]

32. Knowing the GOP they'll just cancel the pass program completely.

Akin to what they did to the students who agreed to work in civil service jobs in trade for tuition...

[happy feet]

34. Thank-you!!!

Hubby and I just turned 62 so on our way to obtain our passes! Yoo hoo!

[joanbarnes]

35. Done as soon as my younger hubby hit the big 62

[Coventina]

39. I wonder if refunds will be issued after the parks are sold off to private entities?

[klook]

48. You'll get a $10 discount off the greens fee

IF you pass the extreme vetting requirements (acceptable ethnicity, political affiliation, religious profile, and income level).

[ghostsinthemachine]

41. July!

Pretty happy to be seeing 62 for a lot of reasons.

[dae]

42. Thank you! I visited the link provided and will be purchasing 2

for my wife and I.

[Retrograde]

46. I counted the days until I turned 62

Then the day after my 62nd birthday I went to Pinnacles National Park to get my Senior Pass, only to find that much of their staff (which isn't big to begin with) were out sick and no one their knew how to work the registers so I couldn't buy one (they weren't charging admission anyway that day, but I was disappointed).

You can buy the passes at some non-fee sites as well: I got mine at a wildlife refuge in Fremont, and I believe the GGNRA center at the Beach Chalet in Golden Gate Park sells them as well.

[SeattleVet]

49. It looks like they may have delayed the fee increase...

when we got our passes in December (on my wife's 62nd birthday) the fee was originally scheduled to increase a week or so later, at the beginning of January 2017. The person that we bought it from said they she had been selling a LOT of them in anticipation of the fee hike.

Glad they delayed it so that more people could take advantage of it...and I hope that the orange turd occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (most weekdays, anyway) doesn't decide to cancel the whole thing and leave everyone hanging.

[GentryDixon]

52. We got ours at the North Rim Ranger Station

a few years ago. I'll bet the malcontents will be glad if and when they reach the milestone to be able to take advantage of this small token afforded seniors.

[Turbineguy]

55. Thanks for the info!

Who knows, maybe the republicans will not get a chance to sell the parks and turn them into open pit mines.

[Lebam in LA]

56. I got mine last July at Yellowstone

Best $10 I've spent in a long time.

[Gymbo]

57. Thank you so much

I looked over your list where we could buy the pass in person and saw that the Angeles National Forest headquarters were in Arcadia, CA, just a few minutes from home. I went over this afternoon and thought I was the only person there but along comes an older very attractive lady who had a printed copy of the Democratic Underground article you wrote. I wanted to strike up a conversation but suddenly more people arrived looking to buy a senior pass.I showed my ID, signed the back of the card, and handed the clerk $10 and I was out of there very happy about my summer prospects. Thanks again, you really made my day.

[marlakay]

58. Hubby has one for us

But i am only 60, more worried about my SS right now....

We just got a golden retriever puppy and then i find out dogs not allowed in the parks. Not because of potty issues but because of aggressive breeds.